In the face of unexpected disasters and emergencies, food supplies become vital for survival. Due to its unique geographical location, Japan has long been vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. As a result, nearly every Japanese household prepares some form of emergency food.

Specially Designed Emergency Food

Many food items in Japan are specifically designed for disaster preparedness. They undergo special processing, allowing for long-term storage while maintaining their flavor. This significantly reduces the challenges finding something to eat during a disaster.

It typically takes over a week for basic living facilities to be restored after a disaster, according to guidelines issued by the Japanese government. Relief supplies may take three days or longer to arrive. With supermarkets and convenience stores expected to run out of food during this time, families are advised to stockpile enough food for at least three days to one week, depending on the number of household members.

Emergency food supplies include water, ready-to-eat meals, cooking kits, canned goods, and snacks. By storing these long-lasting items, families can better prepare for situations such as power outages, water shortages, and gas supply disruptions that may arise during large-scale disasters.

Drinking Water Supplies

Water is essential for survival. In the event of a disaster, water shortages may occur. It is recommended that each person have 3 liters of drinking water per day, totaling at least 9 liters for three days. You can store regular beverages, such as energy drinks.

Essential Emergency Food Items

In uncertain circumstances, maintaining a balanced diet and sufficient energy levels is crucial for survival and overall well-being. Therefore, when preparing emergency food supplies, consider a balanced combination of nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins, while ensuring an adequate daily caloric intake to remain healthy.

Canned Bread

Japan’s emergency bread has a soft, fluffy texture, setting it apart from the usual dry, crumbly bread found in typical emergency supplies. Its taste might be better than you expect.

Canned Fish

Rich in protein and healthy fats, canned fish has a tender texture and can be eaten straight from the can. It pairs well with bread, rice, or soups, and comes in various flavors such as miso, soy sauce, water-packed, yuzu kosho, and perilla plum. Canned fish typically has a shelf life of up to three years.

Instant Rice

Instant rice, pre-cooked and rapidly dried for preservation, offers a convenient emergency food option.

To prepare, just add hot water to the package, seal it, and let it sit for 15 minutes to rehydrate the rice. If hot water is not available, cold water can be used, though it will take about 60 minutes. Each pack comes with a spoon for easy consumption. Instant rice comes in various flavors—including plain rice, red bean rice, matsutake rice, wild vegetable rice, curry rice, chicken rice, and shrimp rice. This variety is enough to keep your meals interesting.

Egg Drop Soup

During disasters, people often have reduced appetites. Nutritious egg drop soup provides an easily consumable option. It is available in various flavors, including chicken, salmon, and crab. In addition to its smooth texture, the soup also contains small bits of rice for added consistency. The soup is popular for outdoor activities, travel, and a as a late-night snack.

Eggs, the main ingredient, are rich in essential proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, offering a wide array of health benefits.

Vegetable Soup

Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial during challenging times. Vegetable soup contributes to this goal by:

• Featuring diverse ingredients like tomatoes, pumpkin, legumes, and mushrooms
• Providing dietary fiber
• Keeping salt content below 1 gram per serving
• Using special packaging materials for a shelf life of up to 5.5 years

Nutritional Care Foods

This specialized food series caters to the elderly, children, and patients with varying chewing or swallowing abilities. Nutritional care foods include a variety of options such as plum porridge, vegetable porridge, egg soup, corn soup, and meatballs. With a shelf life of over one year, these foods are suitable for consumption during periods when water and electricity supplies have not yet been restored after a disaster.

Spotlight on Plum Porridge

The plum porridge’s main ingredient is Japanese apricot, a traditional food and medicinal item in Japan. is a traditional food and medicinal item in Japan. It is typically enjoyed either dried or pickled in salt.

A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming Japanese apricots can inhibit Helicobacter pylori infection in the stomach and can reduce active mucosal inflammation, thereby providing preventive benefits against chronic atrophic gastritis.

Another study showed that Japanese apricot are rich in nutrients and contain bioactive compounds with strong antioxidant, antibacterial, antitumor, and lipid-lowering properties.

Furthermore, Japanese apricot is high in citric acid, which helps reduce fatigue.

Liquid baby formula

For infants, whose main nutrition comes from breast milk or formula, the canned liquid formula offers several advantages:

• Can be fed directly without preparation
• Beneficial during power outages or water supply disruptions
• Typically has a one-year shelf life when stored at room temperature

Guidelines for Emergency Food Preparation

When assembling emergency food supplies:

• Choose products storable at room temperature for long periods
• Select items easy for most people to consume
• Consider special dietary needs of family members, including pregnant women, infants, seniors with swallowing difficulties, and those with specific food allergies

Remember, preparation is key. Proactively stocking up on supplies can prevent hunger and reduce panic during a disaster, providing greater security for you and your family.